Car News, Specs and Reviews

2017 Ford Mustang’s Attempts To Pass The Safety Test in European School

The Ford Mustang has been awarded just two stars out of five by Euro NCAP in its crash safety tests. The result marks the first time a model from a prominent manufacturer has received such a low rating since 2008.

The iconic car performed poorly in a frontal offset test, which is designed to emulate an impact with an oncoming vehicle. Euro NCAP, which assessed the Mustang 5.0 GT coupe, described the driver and passenger airbags as “inflating insufficiently to properly restrain occupants”.

In a full-width frontal test, a crash test dummy in the back seat of the Ford slid under its seatbelt after belt pre-tensioners and load limiters failed to work effectively. In a side impact test, a child-sized dummy hit its head on interior trim because the curtain airbag failed to provide sufficient cushioning.

The Mustang was awarded 72% for adult occupant safety, 32% for child occupant safety, 64% for pedestrian safety and just 16% for its safety assist features.

The results in Europe contrast with those achieved by the Mustang in the US, where the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the car a maximum five-star rating.

“Ford did not expect Euro NCAP to test the Mustang and chose not to fit safety technology in Europe that is available to American consumers” said Euro NCAP boss Michiel van Ratingen.

In response, Ford said any Mustang ordered after May will come with extra safety kit, including pre-collision assist and autonomous emergency braking.